Capt. Laxmi Swaminathan (24 October 1914 – 23 July 2012)
INTRODUCTION • Lakshmi Swaminathan, a revolutionary of the Indian independence movement, an officer of the Indian National Army, and the Minister of Women's Affairs in the Azad Hind Government. • Commonly referred to in India as “Captain Lakshmi”.
EARLY LIFE • Lakshmi Swaminathan, born to noted lawyer Dr S Swaminathan and social worker Ammu Swaminathan in Madras on October 24, 1914. • She obtained her MBBS degree from the Madras Medical College in 1938. • In 1940- She left for Singapore where she established a clinic for the poor, mostly migrant labour from India. • In 1942- During the surrender of Singapore by the British to the Japanese, she aided wounded prisoners of war, many of whom were interested in forming an Indian liberation army.
RANI OF JHANSI REGIMENT • It was the Women's Regiment of the Indian National Army. • Led by Lakshmi Swaminathan, the unit was raised in July 1943 with volunteers from the Indian population in South East Asia. • Women responded enthusiastically to the all-women brigade and Dr. Lakshmi Swaminathan became “Captain Lakshmi”.
LATER YEARS 1971 She ed the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and represented the party in the Rajya Sabha. During the Bangladesh crisis, she organized relief camps and medical aid in Calcutta for refugees who streamed into India from Bangladesh.
1998 She was awarded the Pa Vibhushan by the then Indian President, K. R. Narayanan.
CONTD.. 2002 Four leftist parties - the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Revolutionary Socialist Party, and the All India Forward Bloc - nominated Sehgal as a candidate in the presidential elections. She was the sole opponent of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who emerged victorious.
FACTS AND INFORMATION Born
24 October 1914 (Madras, British India)
Died
23 July 2012 (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh)
Other names
Captain Lakshmi Sehgal
Known for contribution as
Revolutionist, Freedom fighter
Spouse(s)
P. K. N. Rao ( -1940), Prem Kumar Sahgal (1947-1992)
Children
Subhashini Ali, Anisa Puri
Grand Son
Shaad Ali (filmmaker)
Education
In 1938 Sehgal completed MBBS degree from the Madras Medical College Diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics
CONTD.. with the Indian National Army
In Singapore, Lakshmi came in with the Indian National Army. With the aim to help the poor, a clinic was established by her.
Arrest
For being a part of the INA's march to Burma, the British army arrested Captain Lakshmi in May 1945. •
In 1971, Lakshmi became a part of the Communist Party of India, representing the party in the Upper House. •
Activities and achievements •
Relief camps were organized by her during the Bangladesh crisis for refugees in Calcutta.
In 2002, Sehgal was selected as a candidate for the presidential elections by four leftist parties - the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the All India Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party.
Remarriage
Sahgal got remarried in March 1947 to Prem Kumar Sahgal in Lahore.
Awards
Sahgal was honoured with the Pa Vibhushan in 1998
REFERENCES • www.mapsofindia.com • http:// www.winentrance.com/general_knowl edge/lakshmi-sahgal.html • http:// indiatoday.intoday.in/story/veteranfreedom-fighter-lakshmi-sehgal-e s-away/1/209744.html
Thank you..